By Boluwatife Kehinde
Bayer Leverkusen have appointed former Denmark national team coach Kasper Hjulmand as their new head coach, following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag after only two league matches in charge.
Hjulmand signed a contract running until 2027 and expressed his excitement at leading a club of Leverkusen’s stature.
“It is an honour to be entrusted with such a team,” the 53-year-old said in a statement. “I’m motivated to shape the future of the club.”
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The managerial shake-up came just weeks after Ten Hag replaced Xabi Alonso, who guided Leverkusen to a historic unbeaten league and cup double in 2023–24, delivering their first-ever Bundesliga title.
Alonso departed in the summer to manage Real Madrid, leaving big shoes to fill. Sporting director Simon Rolfes admitted that appointing Ten Hag had been a mistake, adding that keeping him would have been “an even bigger mistake.”
Hjulmand is expected to make his debut in Friday’s home clash against Eintracht Frankfurt. He was chosen from a shortlist that also featured former Barcelona coach Xavi, Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou, and Real Madrid legend Raúl.
The Danish manager resigned from his role with Denmark in July 2024 after a tenure that earned wide respect across Europe.
He led the national team to the semi-finals of Euro 2021, narrowly losing to England, and later guided them to the last 16 of Euro 2024, where they were eliminated by hosts Germany.
Hjulmand began his coaching career at Lyngby, guiding the modest club to promotion before making his breakthrough with FC Nordsjælland, where he won the Danish Superliga title in 2012.
His reputation as an innovative, forward-thinking manager was cemented there. A move to Mainz in the Bundesliga in 2014 proved difficult, as he lasted less than a season after a poor run of results. He later returned to Nordsjælland and rebuilt his reputation through steady development.
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Now back in Germany, Hjulmand has been handed a major opportunity to prove himself at the top level. With Leverkusen defending their Bundesliga crown, he steps into a high-pressure role that aligns with his ambitions.
